Galatians 2:20
Thoughts from Josh Talbot
Dive Deeper
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20
Behind the Scenes
In this verse, Paul is speaking to the Galatians about justification by faith in Christ. This big word – justification – means to be reconciled and welcomed into the family of God through our faith in Jesus Christ. Last week, we looked at several verses that talked about Jesus being the one and only way to eternal life. He became this pathway to heaven because of His crucifixion on the cross.
In the Old Testament, sins were pardoned through the sacrifice of pure animals – doves, lambs, oxen, etc. The animal’s blood was shed to symbolically cover the sins of the wrongdoer. Jesus came to earth and remained pure – completely sinless – allowing Him to offer himself as a human sacrifice to cover my sins, your sins, and the sins of the world. His blood wiped the slate clean for the past, present, and future allowing us to have the opportunity to experience eternity in heaven.
Galatians 2:20 begins with a reference to Christ’s crucifixion. “I have been crucified with Christ.” We are not perfect or sinless beings who can offer our blood as the sacrifice for humanity’s redemption. Nor do we need to be – Jesus has already paid it all. Hallelujah! However, when we put our faith in Jesus Christ and believe that He is the way, the truth, and the life and that we can experience forgiveness and reconciliation to God through Him (John 14:6), then we are called to sacrifice ourselves – to die to our sinful, imperfect, humanly selves – and be reborn as a new creation in Christ. “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”
Make it Real
What does it look like to die to our old selves and live as a new creation? First, we must confess our brokenness and proclaim our belief in the Christ. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” (John 3:36) Second, we can make a public declaration of our faith in Christ through water baptism. It is a powerful and symbolic physical act of faith. When you are submerged beneath the water, you’re washing off the old you – the sinner; the slave; the old self – and emerging a new and clean creation in whom Christ dwells.
Even Jesus engaged in this symbolic act: ‘And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”’ (Matthew 3:16-17)
Baptism is not only symbolic for you and your relationship with Christ; it is also a symbol of the unity of the body of Christ. When you are baptized, you are publicly declaring to your brothers and sisters that you are laying down your old life – the one filled with sin and shame, governed by the Fallen Angel – to live a life according to the law of the Lord. You are committing to living differently and to allowing God to direct your paths as you work to bring glory and honor to Him. Additionally, it is a commission to your brothers and sisters in Christ to stand beside you, support you, and encourage you on this journey. Baptism is a unification ceremony for the Body of Christ.
My friend, I pray that as you ponder today’s verse, you consider where you are in your walk with the Lord. This verse tells us that Christ lives in us – when your family, friends, colleagues, grocery clerks, baristas, everyone you interact with on a daily basis – when they see you, do they see Christ who lives in you? Perhaps you have made the intimate declaration that Christ is Lord and He has forgiven you of your sins. You’ve accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, but you haven’t yet publicly declared it through baptism. Is it time for you to take that public step and allow your brothers and sisters in Christ to support you on your walk?
Now is your chance! This Wednesday and Sunday at church, you have the opportunity to be baptized during service! If you have not yet taken this step of faith, I encourage you to pray about it. Allow yourself to die to your old self and emerge as a new creation!
Kristen Krimmel
ACF Devo Team
End in Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We thank you for your ultimate sacrifice on the cross that allows us to live as a new creation. We praise you that you provided a way out of our old, sinful lives that we might live and dwell in grace, love, and peace. I pray that today you would help me identify whether I am allowing others to see You in me, or if I need to make changes to my lifestyle that will reflect You. Thank you for the community of believers you have given me to support me on this walk with you. May I always seek to bring glory and honor to the Lord!
In your perfect and holy name, I pray,
AMEN!